Tatiana Alves has extensive experience with complex litigation in the area of intellectual property law, focused on patent disputes. She has been lead counsel in dozens of trials for life sciences and telecommunications clients, providing remarkable results for her clients in complex disputes. She was the first woman to serve as first chair in infringement and validity SEP litigation in Brazil. For three years in a row, Tatiana has been named by WIPR Diversity as an Influential Women in IP (2024, 2023) and as a Trailblazer (2022). She has also been recognized by The Legal 500 for her expertise in Intellectual Property, and by Leaders League in their Patent Litigation ranking. IP Stars lists Tatiana as a Notable Practitioner, and Benchmark Litigation as a Litigation Star. A DEI-champion, Tatiana co-founded the first Brazilian association dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the innovation ecosystem - Women in IP (WIP). She frequently writes articles and participates in seminars and webinars on DEI topics. Tatiana holds a Ph.D. in Civil Procedure and Evidence Law from the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), in cooperation with Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, in Germany. She has focused her academic studies on case management, procedural agreements for the taking of evidence, and standards of proof. She has also spent time as a Guest Researcher at the University of Maastricht, in The Netherlands, and as an Invited Researcher at the Institute of Intellectual Property (IIP), in Japan.

Kimberly Chotkowski is an accomplished intellectual property attorney and licensing executive with over two decades of professional legal and business experience. Kimberly is a proven leader with a deep professional experience in licensing of intellectual property, entrepreneurial IP strategic planning, and empowering businesses to maximize revenue. Working in various roles with corporations and private ventures, Kimberly has an established track record of negotiating complex, global IP licenses and monetization opportunities specializing in assisting businesses in optimizing financial return on research and development on intellectual property portfolios. Kimberly's experience brings a wealth of global IP knowledge from in-depth work in Asia, Europe and throughout North America. Kimberly was named to the “IAM Strategy 300 – The World’s Leading IP Strategists every year since its inception in 2009.

Christina Lee, a PCK shareholder, joined PCK in 2014 shortly after graduating from the University of Waterloo, where she studied math and chemistry. Christina drafts and prosecutes patent applications, performs patentability searches and was a contributor to the firm blog. She spent two years developing the firm’s automated systems, researching patent and trademark processes worldwide as a part of the team that teaches and supports Otto. In addition to drafting and prosecuting patent applications, Christina serves as the Secretary of IPO’s Women in IP Law Committee, 2022.

Meredith Struby helps her clients channel the potential of their IP assets. Her clients trust her to understand their technology and business needs and to use her deep understanding of patent law and practice to protect and manage their IP assets. She has a sharp sense for seeing opportunities and a unique ability to clarify complex issues, providing insightful counseling. She digs in to do what is needed while her forthright and humorous approach make it enjoyable for clients to work with her side-by-side to meet their business goals. She leads client-focused teams of attorneys, patent agents, paralegals, and staff by channeling and maximizing the strengths of each team member and encouraging the culture of service and support at MCC. She and her teams embrace the firm’s motto – value without compromise – delivering top notch legal services with a fee structure that allows for her and other experienced attorneys to have substantive involvement with clients’ portfolios and intellectual property strategies.

Anna Chauvet leads Finnegan’s copyright practice and leverages significant experience in tackling cutting-edge issues relating to copyright. She has testified before the U.S. Copyright Office regarding artificial intelligence and copyright, and advised on potential legislative efforts regarding copyright and copyright-adjacent issues. Prior to rejoining Finnegan, Anna served as associate general counsel at the U.S. Copyright Office, where she advised on litigation strategy to inform the U.S. government’s views regarding novel questions of copyright law pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.  After that, she served as vice president of public policy at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), where she was integral to policy development, advocacy strategies, and reaching consensus among members and congressional offices in the areas of artificial intelligence, music licensing, and antitrust. Anna holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law.

Kevin Jablonski is a registered patent attorney with a focus on patent portfolio development and patent prosecution. Kevin works with a number of clients across myriad technologies with a lean toward electrical engineering and computer science. Kevin’s practice involves additional aspects of intellectual property law including IP licensing, copyrights, and trademarks. He is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and admitted to practice law in Washington State. He has experience in technology areas such as semiconductor design, analog and digital circuits, LTE Wireless, computer networking, digital communication systems, , computer-related business methods, interactive software solutions, aircraft manufacturing systems, IoT systems, and computer architecture solutions.

Joshua Simmons is a well-established and nationally recognized appellate and trial court litigator, who has been lauded as an “exceptional,” “forceful,” and “creative” “brainiac” (Chambers), “Top Attorney” (Law360), and “big-picture thought leader” (WTR).  This “Intellectual Property Superhero” (CLS) has been named one of the “500 leading litigators in America” (Lawdragon) for his wins in copyright, patent, right of publicity, trademark, trade secret, and unfair competition litigations, as well as contract, licensing, and domain name disputes.  As a “Power Lawyer” (THR) and “Trailblazer” (NLJ), he is sought after for complex cases and those of first impression; IP counseling; strategic portfolio management; as well as regulatory and legislative policy advice.  His eye-catching litigations involve a range of media  and technologies.  In the field of artificial intelligence, Josh is a leader both in the courtroom and outside of it.  In 2021, he won a $30 million trade secret and unfair competition verdict in a case in which the jury found that the defendant used the technology of its competitor to train its AI models.  In 2025, he won summary judgment in the first case in legal history to consider whether training an AI model was fair use.  He also frequently counsels clients and lectures on the intellectual property implications of AI.  In addition, Josh vice chairs the Intellectual Property Owners Association’s Artificial Intelligence, Data & New Emerging Technologies Committee, was a member of the ABA Section of Intellectual Property’s Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Task Force, and chaired the Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee for the Second Circuit Judicial Conference’s 2022 Program Planning Committee.

Lara Ameri is an associate in the intellectual property litigation group with a wide-ranging practice. Lara represents clients in patent, copyright, trademark, false advertising, trade secret, and contract disputes across a variety of fields, including wireless technology and telecommunications, e-commerce, software, retail, pharmaceuticals, and data storage. Lara has experience in district court litigation and international arbitration, from pre-suit analysis through trial preparation, including managing discovery, drafting pleadings and dispositive motions, defending expert witness depositions, assisting with damages assessments, and preparing witnesses for depositions and trial.

David Armendariz practices trademark and copyright law with a primary focus on litigation and policing. David represents clients in contentious matters before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and federal courts throughout the country. His experience includes four years with Vinson & Elkins LLP. Before entering private practice, David served as a law clerk to the Honorable Debra H. Lehrmann on the Supreme Court of Texas. David earned his J.D. with High Honors from The University of Texas School of Law, where he was a Chancellor. David also served as Articles Editor for the Texas Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif.

Peter Brody has been successfully litigating intellectual property cases and other complex disputes in federal and state courts across the United States for over 30 years. A member and former chair of Ropes & Gray’s intellectual property litigation group, Peter has litigated every type of IP case –patent, copyright, trade secret, trademark, and false advertising - as well as a wide range of constitutional, administrative, and contract disputes. Peter also has substantial experience in alcoholic beverage laws and regulations. In addition to his trial and appellate practice, Peter has served as lead counsel in numerous domestic and international arbitrations, as well as hearings and proceedings before federal and state administrative agencies. Peter’s broad-based litigation experience enables him to see the big picture and to present complicated and technical matters in a clear and easy to understand manner.

Jon Jekel is an attorney at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman where he advises artists, inventors, startups, and Fortune 500 companies on copyright, trademark, privacy, and other IP-related issues. In his free time, Jon enjoys collecting LPs, writing sci-fi, woodworking, traveling, and keeping up his Peloton streak.

Shruti Costales is the Owner & Founder at Shruti Law PLLC®. Shruti is a licensed US patent attorney and has worked in private practice, in-house, and with the Federal Government. She has 20+ years of deep legal experience in handling patent and trademark application drafting and prosecution, patent counseling, patent litigation, IP transactions, complex commercial transactions including drafting and negotiating XaaS agreements and handling FED/SLED agreements, supply chain agreements, product counseling, and due diligence and mergers & acquisitions related assessments. Her experience includes working in the chemicals/materials technologies (e.g., microelectronics including semiconductors, integrated circuits/chips, microprocessors, and memory devices; batteries and fuel cells; catalysts; polymers; additive manufacturing; food/nutrition; nanotechnology; oil and gas; tire and rubber; building materials/composites; water treatment/purification; tobacco/nicotine products; filtration solutions; performance materials; and consumer goods), life sciences/healthcare technologies (e.g., biotechnology & diagnostics; pharmaceutical – small molecule and large molecule; medical surgical products; dental & ophthalmological solutions; and purification and filtration technologies), electrical & computer technologies (e.g., electronic devices and components; consumer electronics; microelectronics including semiconductors; and financial, business, and fintech services), and mechanical technologies (e.g., automotive and smart mobility technology; mechanical components; and medical devices). Shruti has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and a JD from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire School of Law). She is a member of the Patent Pathways® Board of Directors. Shruti is currently Vice-Chair of IPO's Small/Micro Company & Law Firm Committee. Over the last decade, Shruti has co-led IPO's DEI and Women in IP committees where she co-authored many white papers, guides, and toolkits. Recently, Shruti led and co-authored a collaboration between ADAPT and IPO for a Practical Guide on Allyship, Mentorship, & Sponsorship. 

Rebekah Fuhr is a seasoned legal and international development professional with over a decade of experience spanning legal analysis, project management, and cross-cultural collaboration. Currently serving as a Senior Legal Analyst at Access Advance LLC, she has worked with global teams, managed complex legal processes, and contributed to international legal strategy. With a background in international studies and a passion for diversity, inclusion, and allyship, Rebekah’s career, enriched by experiences in South Korea, India, Bangladesh, and France reflects her commitment to global engagement and advocacy.

Mercedes K. Meyer, Ph.D., represents leading life science and technology companies maintaining an extensive biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent management, prosecution, opinion and due diligence practice. With a doctorate in virology and degree in chemistry, Mercedes has a deep understanding of complex biotechnology and scientific research, which is key for advising life science clients on commercializing and protecting product innovations as well as performing diligence for investing in new technologies, particularly in corporate joint development projects. Mercedes advises on developing patent strategies, managing the intellectual property rights, and making associated investments and acquisitions. Mercedes also handles patent reexaminations and inter partes matters.

Cyra Nargolwalla is a co-Managing Partner in Plasseraud IP’s Executive Committee. She is regularly recognized for her outstanding expertise in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals (vaccines, hormonal therapy, cancerology), as well as textiles, paper and the food industry. She has an excellent track record representing clients in Opposition and Appeal Proceedings before the EPO, in both French and English. Cyra also handles litigation matters in France and in other countries. She is a regular speaker at conferences on biotech/pharmaceutical patent matters as well as on litigation-related topics. She has been invited to the EPO several times to speak with Examiners on how to provide better client satisfaction with respect to examination and opposition procedures. She also regularly takes part in discussions about oral proceedings before the EPO and is a staunch supporter of the EPO’s initiative to move to Oral Proceedings via videoconference, as she firmly believes that this improves access to justice for all parties. Cyra is one of two recognized IP experts invited by the President of the EPO as an ad personam member of the current SACEPO (Standing Advisory Committee European Patent Office) Working Party on Rules. She was previously an active member of SACEPO’s Working Party on Guidelines.

Shruti Costales is the Owner & Founder at Shruti Law PLLC®. Shruti is a licensed US patent attorney and has worked in private practice, in-house, and with the Federal Government. She has 20+ years of deep legal experience in handling patent and trademark application drafting and prosecution, patent counseling, patent litigation, IP transactions, complex commercial transactions including drafting and negotiating XaaS agreements and handling FED/SLED agreements, supply chain agreements, product counseling, and due diligence and mergers & acquisitions related assessments. Her experience includes working in the chemicals/materials technologies (e.g., microelectronics including semiconductors, integrated circuits/chips, microprocessors, and memory devices; batteries and fuel cells; catalysts; polymers; additive manufacturing; food/nutrition; nanotechnology; oil and gas; tire and rubber; building materials/composites; water treatment/purification; tobacco/nicotine products; filtration solutions; performance materials; and consumer goods), life sciences/healthcare technologies (e.g., biotechnology & diagnostics; pharmaceutical – small molecule and large molecule; medical surgical products; dental & ophthalmological solutions; and purification and filtration technologies), electrical & computer technologies (e.g., electronic devices and components; consumer electronics; microelectronics including semiconductors; and financial, business, and fintech services), and mechanical technologies (e.g., automotive and smart mobility technology; mechanical components; and medical devices). Shruti has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and a JD from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire School of Law). She is a member of the Patent Pathways® Board of Directors. Shruti is currently Vice-Chair of IPO's Small/Micro Company & Law Firm Committee. Over the last decade, Shruti has co-led IPO's DEI and Women in IP committees where she co-authored many white papers, guides, and toolkits. Recently, Shruti led and co-authored a collaboration between ADAPT and IPO for a Practical Guide on Allyship, Mentorship, & Sponsorship. 

Heather Molleur has over 15 years of large corporate and start-up tech company legal experience advising executive leadership team (incl. CEO, CTO, CFO, COO, Exec. VP of Sales, Chief Product Officer), technical teams (both software and hardware), and sales and marketing teams. She successfully supported product and R&D teams in technology areas including smart devices, cloud software and cloud architecture, automation software, sensors, big data, machine learning and AI, cybersecurity, and data management (including backup and storage management). Her IP experience includes patents, trademarks, trade secret protection, worldwide patent portfolio management and strategy, IP licensing, freedom to operate (FTO), M&A, patentability and validity searching, patent litigation/enforcement, pre- and post-grant proceedings (IPR, Opposition, Reexamination), international patent prosecution (incl. Europe, China, Korea, Japan), Inventor outreach and training.

Elaine Spector is a patent attorney with over 20 years of experience in intellectual property law.  Her current practice consists primarily of prosecuting patent applications with a focus on electromechanical technologies. Prior to joining Harrity & Harrity, Elaine worked in private practice for over 15 years handling various intellectual property matters, including patent application drafting and prosecution, trademark prosecution and enforcement, as well as litigating complex patent cases in federal courts. Elaine’s extensive litigation experience provides her with a unique perspective in prosecuting patent applications. Most recently, Elaine worked in-house for 6 years at Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, where she managed over 500 matters in medical and software related technologies. As an avid believer in giving-back, Elaine serves a Board Member at No More Stolen Childhoods. She is also dedicated to improving diversity in the field of patent law through her numerous diversity leadership roles. Elaine hosts Driving Diversity, a weekly vlog sharing diversity-related tips and FAQ’s, as well as quarterly webinars in a series called Diversity Dialogue as part of Harrity’s Diversity Channel.

Claudia Stangle is a partner at Leydig, Voit & Mayer in Chicago with over 25 years of experience and specializes in trademarks, trade dress, copyrights, false and comparative advertising, Internet law, trade secrets, licensing, and right of publicity. Ms. Stangle has significant experience in complex inter partes proceedings before the TTAB, has represented clients in federal courts around the U.S. including in the Ninth Circuit, and has won numerous UDRP proceedings. She also has experience in patent infringement and trade secret litigation. She represents clients in a wide variety of industries including in the life sciences, automotive, insurance, reinsurance, financial, car rental, commercial real estate, software, AI, consumer and luxury goods, entertainment, cannabis, alcoholic beverages, and industrial products space. Ms. Stangle currently serves as the Chair of the Recruiting Committee and was previously Chair of the DEI committee and a member of her firm’s Board of Directors. She is also Vice-Chair of IPO’s D&I Committee. Ms. Stangle is a frequent guest lecturer speaking about a variety of intellectual property topics, has been a regional oral argument judge for the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition and has served as an Adjunct Professor at Widener Law School teaching law students about copyrights and trademarks.  She has three boys and loves to run and bike in her spare time.

Carey Jordan is a partner at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease and chair of the firm’s intellectual property group. She advises large-scale clients on patent prosecution and global intellectual property (IP) portfolio management, IP operations, agreements (technology transfer, joint development and other research agreements), licenses, transactions involving IP and risk consulting. Carey also has significant experience in crafting and conducting effective and efficient IP due diligence for investments, acquisitions and divestitures. Although experienced in multiple technology areas, her personal sweet spots are in the chemicals and materials science arenas. In addition, Carey has successfully handled complex post-grant review procedures for US patents at the US Patent and Trademark Office, including inter partes review proceedings. Carey received her J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center.  She received her M.S. and B.S. magna cum laude from Clemson University.

Vipul Mendiratta is the Lead at IP Analytics for Caterpillar Inc. Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. At Caterpillar, Vipul collaborates with the IP Legal and R&D teams understand and manage their IP assets. Vipul also assists capturing and refining innovative ideas working with inventors and business units. In roles prior to Caterpillar, Vipul created and lead the IP consulting teams for about 15 years at Evalueserve Inc. Vipul is a registered attorney with New York bar and has a law degree and a mechanical engineering degree from India.

Sharon Shofner-Meyer is the President and Chairman of DorothyAI, a cutting-edge company that leverages AI technology to revolutionize patent search and analytics. With extensive experience as a founder and investor in legal tech, Sharon has consistently driven innovation in the industry, launching products that have transformed workflows and improved the quality of intellectual property management. Her deep understanding of the intersection between AI and legal services makes her a leading voice in the conversation on how emerging technologies can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of patent research.

Jonathan Skovholt is a founding member and Head of Search Operations at Ensemble IP, an intellectual property consulting firm providing patent search services to corporations and law firms worldwide. At Ensemble IP, Jonathan works to blend human expertise with advanced technology tools to provide the most reliable and comprehensive patent search results. Jonathan is focused on assessing AI search systems, the convergence of Boolean and AI based techniques, and the continuing evolution of patent searching. Prior to joining Ensemble IP, he managed, designed, and delivered training for Landon IP and CPA Global where he taught analysts the finer points of searching, examining, and classifying. He is a former faculty member of Patent Resources Group (PRG) and at the NIH Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences.  Jonathan has taught individuals on the art of prior art searching to audiences on four continents. He is also a former patent examiner. Jonathan has a BA in Physics from Gustavus Adolphus College, an MS in Physics from the University of Delaware, and a graduate certificate in Instructional Systems Development from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Martha Yates is a Senior Principal Information Scientist and Science Fellow for Bayer CropScience.  She does patent searching and patent information management.  She is a US patent agent and a Qualified Patent Information Professional (QPIP). Martha has a BA in biology from Colorado College and a MS in Biochemistry and a MSLS from the University of Kentucky.  She is the current chair of the IPO Patent Search Committee. 

Pier DeRoo has broad experience in strategic client counseling and patent litigation before U.S. district courts and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). 

Joshua Goldberg, former leader of Finnegan’s PTAB trials section, focuses on inter partes review (IPR), covered business method (CBM), and post-grant review (PGR) proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and on ensuing appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He currently serves on the firm’s compensation committee.

Paul Berghoff, founder of McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert Berghoff LLP, has three decades of experience as lead trial counsel in complex patent litigation – both jury and bench trials and PTAB proceedings – concentrating in litigation involving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology, electronics, and software. He has successfully tried scores of patent cases and has successfully argued dozens of times before he US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He services as Chair of the firm’s Litigation & Appeals Practice Group. He is Vice-Chair of IPO’s Amicus Brief Committee.

Wendy Larson has practiced trademark law exclusively for virtually all of her 20-year career, focused primarily on U.S.- based enforcement and litigation. She focuses specifically on issues relating to the internet, including cybersquatting and brand protection challenges involving social media platforms and smartphone applications, keyword advertising, service provider liability, and personal jurisdiction relating to foreign online actors. She practices in federal court, before the Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), and with dispute resolution service providers such as the Forum and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) handling domain name disputes under ICANN’s domain name dispute resolution policies. Wendy also assists clients in a variety of prosecution and other litigation matters. Wendy is a member of IPO’s Amicus Brief Committee.

Joshua Simmons is a well-established and nationally recognized appellate and trial court litigator, who has been lauded as an “exceptional,” “forceful,” and “creative” “brainiac” (Chambers), “Top Attorney” (Law360), and “big-picture thought leader” (WTR).  This “Intellectual Property Superhero” (CLS) has been named one of the “500 leading litigators in America” (Lawdragon) for his wins in copyright, patent, right of publicity, trademark, trade secret, and unfair competition litigations, as well as contract, licensing, and domain name disputes.  As a “Power Lawyer” (THR) and “Trailblazer” (NLJ), he is sought after for complex cases and those of first impression; IP counseling; strategic portfolio management; as well as regulatory and legislative policy advice.  His eye-catching litigations involve a range of media  and technologies.  In the field of artificial intelligence, Josh is a leader both in the courtroom and outside of it.  In 2021, he won a $30 million trade secret and unfair competition verdict in a case in which the jury found that the defendant used the technology of its competitor to train its AI models.  In 2025, he won summary judgment in the first case in legal history to consider whether training an AI model was fair use.  He also frequently counsels clients and lectures on the intellectual property implications of AI.  In addition, Josh vice chairs the Intellectual Property Owners Association’s Artificial Intelligence, Data & New Emerging Technologies Committee, was a member of the ABA Section of Intellectual Property’s Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Task Force, and chaired the Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee for the Second Circuit Judicial Conference’s 2022 Program Planning Committee.

Natalie Guio, the moderator, is an attorney at Leydig, Voit & Mayer and the Vice-Chair of IPO’s D&I Committee. Natalie is based in Chicago and focuses her practice on trademark and copyright law.

Jimmy Huang is a Partner at East IP in Hong Kong. Jimmy has been advising clients on intellectual property matters for over 20 years, working with leading international as well as domestic law firms. His practice is particularly focused on trademarks prosecution and enforcement, as well as copyright, domain names, and unfair competition.

Kelly Merkel is an Intellectual Property Attorney at Eaton Corporation. Kelly is based in Dublin and focuses her practice in the domain of artificial intelligence, with particular emphasis on patent law and contracts.

Ranjan Narula is the managing partner of RNA Technology & IP Attorneys. Ranjan is based in New Delhi (India) and focuses on IP Dispute Resolution and advisory services.

João Vitor Esteves is an attorney at RNA Law. João is based in Rio de Janeiro and focuses his practice on patent and antitrust law. He holds a J.D. and a B.A. in International Relations, and he is a Master's candidate in International Law.

Ken Corsello is IBM’s US Trade Secrets counsel, where he also focuses on various other IP issues, including drafting and negotiating agreements for patent transactions. Prior to joining IBM, Ken was a law clerk to Chief Judge Glenn Archer at the Federal Circuit; an Associate Solicitor in the USPTO; and in private practice at law firms in Washington, D.C. He has a B.S. from SUNY Stony Brook, J.D. from Catholic University, and LL.M. from George Washington University. A frequent speaker on trade secrets issues, Ken was chair of IPO’s Trade Secrets committee for 6 years and the principal drafter of IPO’s 2023 comments in response to the FTC’s proposed rule banning non-compete agreements.

Robert Surrette is a Shareholder and serves as President of McAndrews. He focuses his practice on the resolution of intellectual property and technology-related disputes with an emphasis on patent, trademark, trade secret and trade dress litigation. For the last 20 years, Bob has counseled a leading global medical device manufacturer on numerous litigation and transactional matters.